Research Guides: ENG 152B: Undisciplining Medieval Arthurian Literature StoryMaps Project: Get Started with ArcGIS StoryMaps

GIS & Social Sciences Librarian

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Subjects: Environmental Studies, Linguistics

Introduction

This guide includes resources for the ArcGIS StoryMaps assignment for ENG 152B: Undisciplining Medieval Arthurian Literature. Use the sidebar menu to navigate to different pages of this course guide. New content will be added to this guide as needed throughout the semester.

Workshop Resources

We'll look at the following story map to help frame our discussion about effective use of digital storytelling tools. We'll also practice adding a couple pieces of media to different content blocks in StoryMaps to explore the some of the available options for presenting audiovisual and narrative content.

How to Become a Saint: The Game
Story map by Gretchen Wang.
Mapping an English Crusader Fantasy
Bailey Ludwig's story map explores the Kingdoms of Christendom according to a 15th century English crusader fantasy presented in Aberdeen MS 123.
Myth-Making, Monsters and Medievalisms in Dungeons & Dragons
Story map by Lydia McGinn that explores how modern Dungeons & Dragons manuals use Medieval constructions of race and gender.

Sample Media

Wikimedia Commons
We can use Wikimedia Commons to download images of Geoffrey of Monmouth, etc. to use in our practice story maps.
Robbins Library Digital Projects
A collection of mostly medieval and renaissance digital exhibitions and projects from University of Rochester
Medieval and Early Modern Britain (British Library)
The British Library’s collections include key sources for politics, law, and society before 1600, alongside outstanding works of literature such as Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Get Started

Our institutional subscription to ArcGIS StoryMaps can be accessed via Brandeis ArcGIS Online or the ArcGIS StoryMaps public website.

Sign-in via Brandeis ArcGIS Online

Go to Brandeis ArcGIS Online.
Click the Brandeis University login option. You will be directed to Brandeis login page where you can sign in with your Brandeis credentials.
Then, on the Brandeis ArcGIS Online homepage, click the App launcher menu to view a list of Esri apps. Scroll down the list and click StoryMaps to launch the software in a new browser tab.

Sign-in via ArcGIS StoryMaps Public Site

Go to ArcGIS StoryMaps site.
Sign in using the Your ArcGIS organization's URL option. Type brandeis into the text box, then click Continue. You will be redirected to the Brandeis login page, where you can sign into StoryMaps using your Brandeis credentials.
(Important: You can't sign into your Brandeis StoryMaps account with the general ArcGIS login. You have to use the Your ArcGIS organization's URL sign-in option).

Outline your Story Map

The following resources can help you get started with outlining your story map, identifying key materials that you'll need to collect, etc.

Planning Your Next Story (.docx)
Use this worksheet created by Esri's StoryMaps team to identify key story components before using the StoryMaps Builder.
Planning and outlining your story: How to set yourself up for success (ArcGIS Blog)
Helpful tips for how to craft and present an effective narrative within your story map.
Quick Tips for Mastering the ArcGIS StoryMaps Builder (ArcGIS Blog)
This list of short, simple tips will help you get the most out of the story builder, especially when it comes to smaller features you may have overlooked.
Get started with accessible storytelling
Helpful tips from Esri's StoryMaps team on how to center accessibility in your story map design. Covers topics like color, typography, structure, media, cartography, etc.

More Example Story Maps

The following galleries include story maps on a variety of topics. You can view story maps created by Brandeis students for different classes in our Brandeis ArcGIS Online homepage gallery (Brandeis login required).

ArcGIS StoryMaps Gallery
Collection of story maps highlighted on the ArcGIS StoryMaps site.
University of Minnesota StoryMaps Gallery
Provides examples of individual and group story maps created by undergrads, graduate students, etc. across a variety of disciplines.

Need Help with your Story Map?

Brandeis Library provides multiple forms of instruction and research support for Brandeis students who are working on ArcGIS StoryMaps projects:

You can email or book an appointment with our GIS Librarian or Digital Literacy Instruction Librarian. We offer individual and small group appointments (in-person and via Zoom).
You can stop by our Digital Scholarship Collab Lab drop-in hours to receive help with StoryMaps. Digital Scholarship Collab Lab drop-in hours are posted on our library's workshop calendar and may vary week-to-week based on staff availability. You don't need to contact us in advance -- just stop on by!